2013 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Offensive Stars of Tomorrow

The 2012 NFL draft is in the books, and while report cards are being handed out for this year's draft NFL teams now turn their attention towards preparing their squads for the upcoming season.

For one team that will mean Super Bowl glory while for another it will mean the chagrin of being first on the clock in next year's draft. However, in a league that's become more driven by offense than ever, every NFL club will be scouring the collegiate ranks for the offensive stars of tomorrow.

Here's a look at how the first round of that quest for the offensive firepower could play out.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are apparently so enamored with the ability of second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert to guide the offense this season that they selected a punter in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Tyler Wilson threw for over 3,600 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes last year for the Razorbacks, and while Wilson has his sights set on some individual achievements the 6'3", 220-pound signal-caller is more worried right now about winning games for the Hogs according to The Washington Post.

While Wilson hasn’t shied away from saying he’d like to win the Heisman and be the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, the Greenwood, Ark., native would trade both to win a championship with his home-state Razorbacks.

“Those are things you shoot for, but we’ve got a lot of work to do on the field first,” Wilson said.

As badly as the Cleveland Browns need wide receivers, team president Mike Holmgren doesn't like to draft them early. Amerson would form an imposing duo with Joe Haden in Cleveland's secondary after picking off 13 passes in 2011.

The Vikings bolstered their secondary in this year's draft with the addition of Josh Robinson, but Robinson isn't going to single-handedly turn around a Vikings pass defense that allowed the most touchdown passes in the NFL in 2011.

6. St. Louis Rams: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

The St. Louis Rams took several steps in the right direction in the 2012 NFL draft, but they did very little to address an offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the NFL in 2011.

The Raiders gave up a ton to get quarterback Carson Palmer last year. However, Palmer is 32, and after another losing season for the silver and black Oakland may well look to swap out an old USC quarterback for a newer model.

The Jets attempted to upgrade the pass rush with the addition of Quinton Coples this year, but if that doesn't work out the team may find themselves in the market for a player better suited to the role of 3-4 rush linebacker.

The Arizona Cardinals failed in their pursuit of Peyton Manning in free agency, but if Kevin Kolb struggles again under center in the desert the Cardinals will likely pursue his replacement in next year's draft.

Tyler Bray didn't post big stats for Tennessee in 2011, throwing for fewer than 2,000 yards while missing five games with a broken thumb. However, the 6'6" junior has the size and strong arm that scouts covet, and as the Nashville Tennesseanreports, Bray is dedicating himself more to the mental aspects of the game this season.

“I have started to look at it from a coaching standpoint,” Bray said. “Last year, I was a player and wanted to get out of here. I was tired and all of that. I’ve realized that we actually do need to work on stuff in the areas we need improvement on.”

I don't know if teammates that play the same position have ever been selected back-to-back in the NFL draft, but after concentrating on defense this offseason the Bills could stand to improve the offensive line next year.

The Panthers ranked near the bottom of the NFL in run defense in 2011 and were especially soft between the tackles, but somewhat surprisingly Carolina ignored the middle of the defensive front in this year's draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis in free agency and drafted Dan Herron, but neither of those running backs are in any way what one would call "explosive".

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore tallied 1,000 total yards in just seven games before a torn ACL ended his 2011 season. The 6'0" 232-pound junior should be ready to go in 2012 based on what Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier recently toldThe Chicago Tribune.

"I watched him during spring practice, he ran on the sideline, ran straight ahead. And I think the month of May, he's going to start making some cuts and planting and so forth," Spurrier said. "But from watching him run straight ahead, I don't think it will be a problem when he starts cutting and juking and jiving and so forth."

The Chargers brought back veteran Antonio Garay on what is essentially a one-year deal in 2012. That could leave San Diego looking for a upgrade next season at a position where the Bolts haven't been shy about turnover the past few years.

The Steelers chose to pass on grabbing James Farrior's replacement in this year's draft. Larry Foote can hold down the fort this year, but the team is going to have to eventually procure a long-term answer at the position.

The Detroit Lions addressed the tackle position in this year's draft with the addition of Riley Reiff, but the Lions could still stand to get better and younger along the interior of the offensive line.

USC center Khaled Holmes was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2011, and the 6'4", 310-pound senior believes that this year's Trojans team could be set to accomplish some special things according to CBS Sports.

"This team is a lot closer," Holmes said. "It's the closest team I've ever played on. We've all got each other's backs." One reason for that development, according to Holmes: "We've got confidence and a clear goal ahead of us."

The trade that sent DeMeco Ryans to Philadelphia leaves the Texans with a need at inside linebacker, and Mosley's time in the 3-4 defense in Tuscaloosa would probably appeal to Houston defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

The Patriots focused their attention on defense in 2012, but Rome wasn't built in a day. The athletic Okafor would likely excel in Bill Belichick's multiple fronts defense given his combination of strength and quickness.